Teh One Who Knocks
03-10-2014, 10:58 AM
By Ethan Sacks / NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
http://i.imgur.com/eTgRNAa.jpg
Director Darren Aronofsky's "Noah" is already facing a deluge of criticism from the Middle East.
Censorship boards in Qatar, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates banned the film from theaters Thursday, Paramount insiders told the Hollywood Reporter.
At issue with the biblical drama, starring Russell Crowe and Emma Watson, is the depiction of a prophet common in Christian, Jewish and Muslim faiths.
Other Islamic countries are expected to soon follow suit.
In Egypt, a leading Sunni Muslim institute also called on Egypt to ban "Noah."
"Al-Azhar renews its rejection to the screening of any production that characterizes Allah's prophets and messengers and the companions of the Prophet [Mohammed]," the statement obtained by Israel's Ha'aretz newspaper read.
"Therefore, Al-Azhar announces the prohibition of the upcoming film about the Allah's messenger Noah — peace be upon him."
The movie has been under storm clouds closer to home with reports from industry trades suggesting the religious faithful may not flock to a flick that took liberties with the Old Testament story.
A recent Variety report cited a survey of religious moviegoers that seemed to indicate the faithful would not see "Noah," starring Russell Crowe as the Old Testament hero. But Paramount took the unusual step of releasing a press release slamming the article as an "inaccurate" distortion based on the poll questions that did not directly mention "Noah."
The forecast is at least partially sunny: Paramount pointed to research from another Christian research organization, Barna Group, which found that 86% of respondents who are aware of "Noah" would recommend the film to their friends.
And a well-received trailer aired during Super Bowl seemed to show potential epic in the vein of Crowe's "Gladiator" for secular moviegoers.
Co-starring Jennifer Connelly, Anthony Hopkins as well as Watson, the Biblical adventure reaches theaters March 28.
http://i.imgur.com/eTgRNAa.jpg
Director Darren Aronofsky's "Noah" is already facing a deluge of criticism from the Middle East.
Censorship boards in Qatar, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates banned the film from theaters Thursday, Paramount insiders told the Hollywood Reporter.
At issue with the biblical drama, starring Russell Crowe and Emma Watson, is the depiction of a prophet common in Christian, Jewish and Muslim faiths.
Other Islamic countries are expected to soon follow suit.
In Egypt, a leading Sunni Muslim institute also called on Egypt to ban "Noah."
"Al-Azhar renews its rejection to the screening of any production that characterizes Allah's prophets and messengers and the companions of the Prophet [Mohammed]," the statement obtained by Israel's Ha'aretz newspaper read.
"Therefore, Al-Azhar announces the prohibition of the upcoming film about the Allah's messenger Noah — peace be upon him."
The movie has been under storm clouds closer to home with reports from industry trades suggesting the religious faithful may not flock to a flick that took liberties with the Old Testament story.
A recent Variety report cited a survey of religious moviegoers that seemed to indicate the faithful would not see "Noah," starring Russell Crowe as the Old Testament hero. But Paramount took the unusual step of releasing a press release slamming the article as an "inaccurate" distortion based on the poll questions that did not directly mention "Noah."
The forecast is at least partially sunny: Paramount pointed to research from another Christian research organization, Barna Group, which found that 86% of respondents who are aware of "Noah" would recommend the film to their friends.
And a well-received trailer aired during Super Bowl seemed to show potential epic in the vein of Crowe's "Gladiator" for secular moviegoers.
Co-starring Jennifer Connelly, Anthony Hopkins as well as Watson, the Biblical adventure reaches theaters March 28.